Cold weather caused problems for homeowners and drivers in Somerset over the weekend.

Although the county avoided the heavy snowfall that crippled road networks in other parts of the UK, freezing conditions on Friday night and Saturday still caused chaos.

Crews have been called to several Somerset homes over the weekend to deal with minor flooding incidents caused by burst pipes.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called out to flooded properties at Wood Close in Wells and St Josephs Church in Binford Place, Bridgwater, on Saturday afternoon, both caused by burst pipes.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, fire crews were called to a flat at Cheapside, Langport, which had been flooded due to burst pipes in the flat above.

Emergency service crews used salvage sheets and buckets to dispose of the water.

On Sunday morning, fire crews had to break into a property at Hamlyn Road, Glastonbury, following reports that a large amount of water was coming through the ground floor ceilings of the property.

The occupant was not there, so firefighters broke in and isolated the electricity and water supply, leaving the premises secure.

Smoke alarms rang at Debenhams in North Street, Taunton, on Sunday morning and, when crews arrived, they could smell smoke on the second floor of the building.

There was no fire, but a small flood within an electrical compartment that was quickly isolated and cleared.

At a property in Shute Lane, Bruton, firefighters were called to find 1ft of water on the ground floor, with more water coming through the ceiling from the first floor.

Crews isolated electric and water supplies to the property, and then used a major pump and a light portable pump to soak up the water, as well as a wet and dry hoover to mop up the remaining water.

A fire service spokesman advised people to keep their heating on if possible during cold conditions to prevent pipes freezing and bursting.

Fire crews were also called out to rescue a driver from their car after an accident involving one vehicle on the A370 near Congresbury.

Three appliances, from Weston-super-Mare, Yatton and Avonmouth, were joined by a rescue tender from Avonmouth at the scene of the accident at the Puxton junction of the A370 at about 3.15am yesterday.

The motorist was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The fire service said they had noticed a number of road accidents over the course of the weekend due to “treacherous” conditions on the road and appealed for the public to take care and adjust their speed where necessary.

Related content

Somerset should avoid worst of this week's severe winter weather